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Bird

Mallard / Duck

Anas platyrhynchos

✓What to do NOW

  1. 1Pick up wrapping in a towel, restraining wings and body
  2. 2Place in a dark box with holes, lined with absorbent paper or straw
  3. 3Do not put water in the container — injured waterfowl drown easily
  4. 4Check for embedded fishing hooks, nylon lines, or tangled plastic
  5. 5Contact CRAS with experience in waterfowl

✗NEVER do this

  • ✗Do not feed bread — causes malnutrition (common belief but dangerous)
  • ✗Do not put an injured or stunned bird back in water
  • ✗Do not separate a mother from ducklings — wait for her to move away before handling the young

⚠ Important note

The mallard is the most common wild duck in Italy. Most common cases: fishing hook embedded in beak or feet, oil or petroleum on plumage (do not wash with soap — the CRAS has the right products), impact trauma. Lone ducklings in the first 48h of life are almost always with the mother nearby — observe before intervening.

Also known as

mallardwild ducktealshovelerpintailcootmoorhen

Did you find a mallard / duck right now?

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